About the Pretzels — Freeport has been outscored by opponents 178-162 this season. Steve McShane leads the NIC-10 in rushing with 1106 yards on 17 carries and has amassed 16 touchdowns. McShane also has two receptions for 55 yards and a TD.

About the Indians — Hononegah has outscored opponents 270-115 this season. RB Alex Martin leads Hononegah with 82 carries for 629 yards and 17 touchdowns. QB Joey Welsh is 27 of 53 for 493 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Fast facts — The Pretzels are hoping the fifth time is the charm to earn their fourth win of the season, or else. Should Freeport lose, they will be eliminated from playoff consideration. The Pretzels must win their next two games to become playoff eligible.

Non-Conference

Lena-Winslow (6-1) at Stockton (7-0)

When — 7:30 p.m.

On the air — 102.1 FM and on internet at “www.BigRadio.fm”

Last year — Lena-Winslow 27, Stockton 16

Last week — Lena-Winslow 63, Polo 0; Stockton 65, Milledgeville 12

About the Panthers — Le-Win has outscored opponents 345-68 this season. Tevin Sellers has 51 carries and leads Lena-Winslow with 537 yards and nine touchdowns. Austin Mancosky leads the Panthers in carries with 64 and had 528 yards and also has nine touchdowns. Zack Diaz (24/283/3) and Tyler Oakley (28/275/6) round out Le-Win’s rushing attack.

About the Blackhawks — Stockton has outscored opponents 381-63 this season. TJ Knutson leads the NUIC in rushing with 1235 yards (second in the area) on 89 carries and leads the area with 21 touchdowns. Colton Broshous (75/704/9) is sixth in the NUIC rushing and Logan Staver (41/350/2) adds to a potent ground game.

Fast facts — Going back to 1996, Lena-Winslow has dominated the old school rivalry, with the Panthers winning 10 of the last 11 contests). The Panthers are 3-2 against the Blackhawks since 2003, winning last year’s contest by 11 points.

NUIC-Northwest

Eastland/Pearl City (7-0) at Dakota (4-3)

When — 7:30 p.m.

Last year — Dakota 36, E/PC 6

Last week — E/PC 49, South Beloit 0; Dakota won by fft.

About the Wildcatz — E/PC has outscored opponents 245-40 this season. RB Ben Thomas leads E/PC’s rushing attack with 67 carries for 553 yards and four touchdowns. Eric Schaney (82/508/7) leads the Wildcatz with seven rushing TDs and Shawn Larak (41/297/5) add to the team’s balanced rushing attack. Timmy Vandenburgh is the NUIC’s sixth-leading passer, going 30 of 40 for 460 yards with five touchdowns and an interception.

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About the Indians — Dakota has been outscored by opponents 145-117 this season. Matt Ryan leads the Indians ground game with 70 carries for 473 yards and five touchdowns. Drew Truckenmiller has 50 carries for 255 yards and two touchdowns.

Fast facts — Dakota had a week off last Friday after winning by forfeit against Pecatonica. E/PC’s defense has been stingy, allowing the least points scored in all the NUIC. The Indians will have their work cut out for them.

West Carroll (2-5) at Galena (4-3)

When — 7:30 p.m.

Last year — Galena 35, West Carroll 26

Last week — Forreston 47, West Carroll 0; Galena 30, Warren 27

About the Thunder — West Carroll has been outscored by opponents 229-119 this season.

About the Pirates — Galena has been outscored by opponents 140-137 this season. The Pirates are led in rushing by Austin Long, who has 53 carries for 374 yards and five touchdowns. Roberto Salgado (50/277/3) and Chris White (46/254/3) add to the team’s rushing attack.

Fast facts — Galena is one win away from becoming playoff eligible with its fifth win, despite being outscored by a narrow margin through seven games. The Pirates have won three straight, however, and are still eyeing six wins for the regular season.

South Beloit (1-6) at Polo (2-5)

When — 7:30 p.m.

Last year — South Beloit 47, Polo 6

Last week — E/PC 49, South Beloit 0; Lena-Winslow 63, Polo 0

About the Sobos — South Beloit has been outscored by opponents 235-104 this season.

About the Marcos — Polo has been outscored by opponents 239-164 this season. Dalton Haenitsch leads the Marcos with 71 carries for 393 yards and three touchdowns. John Hanlon is 17 of 49 for 308 yards with two touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Fast facts — With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, Polo and South Beloit are looking to get a win for pride. The Marcos have lost five of their last six games, while the Sobos haven’t won Sept. 14.

Forreston (6-1) will win by forfeit against Pecatonica (0-7)

NUIC-Upstate

Aquin (7-0) at East Dubuque (5-2)

When — 7:30 p.m.

On the air — 1570 AM and on internet at “www.BigRadio.fm”

Last year — Aquin 35, East Dubuque 13

Last week — Aquin 49, Durand 6; East Dubuque 61, River Ridge 20

About the Bulldogs — Aquin has outscored opponents 273-82 this season. QB Nolan Brannick leads the area in passing, going 105 of 181 (58 percent) for 1896 yards with 23 touchdowns and three interceptions. Brannick also has 223 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs. RB Sawyer Shaw is the NUIC’s third-leading rusher with 123 carries for 850 yards and seven touchdowns. WR Zach Moyer has an area-high 39 receptions for 702 yards (second in the area, first in the NUIC) and an area-high 11 TD grabs.

Fast facts — Aquin has given up the fifth-least points allowed in the NUIC this season. East Dubuque can clinch a postseason berth with a win at home while Aquin can remain undefeated in conference with a big Week 9 matchup with Stockton for the Upstate title.

About the Raiders — A-FC has been outscored by opponents 241-171 this season. RB Jake Kaecker is the NUIC’s second-leading rusher with 135 carries for 986 yards and nine touchdowns. QB Andrew LeFevre is the NUIC’s fifth-leading rusher with 128 carries for 752 yards and seven touchdowns. LeFevre has also thrown for 236 yards with two TDs and two INTs.

Fast facts — A loss for Warren means the Warriors are eliminated from playoff contention, while a loss for A-FC puts it in a must-win situation Week 9. Both teams could technically finish 5-4 at season’s end, but a playoff berth is far from guaranteed for either teams.

Orangeville (1-6) at Durand (2-5)

When — 7:30 p.m.

Last year — Durand 46, Orangeville 14

Last week — A-FC 48, Orangeville 42 (2 OT); Aquin 49, Durand 6

About the Broncos — Orangeville has been outscored by opponents 271-152 this season. Brandon Zimmerman leads Orangeville’s rushing attack.

About the Bulldogs — Durand has been outscored by opponents 235-144 this season. RB Jake Szymanski leads Durand on the ground with 68 carries for 528 yards and three touchdowns.

Fast facts — Both teams playing for pride. Orangeville looking for its first win since beating Milledgeville, while Durand is looking for its first victory since getting upset by the Missiles Week 6.

About the Missiles — Milledgeville has been outscored by opponents 347-122 this season. QB Kameron DawTyne is the NUIC’s fourth-leading passer with 45 of 76 for 571 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

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About the Wildcats — River Ridge has been outscored by opponents 271-122 this season. RB Matt Carroll leads the team on the ground with 99 carries for 591 yards and five touchdowns. QB Josh Crist is the NUIC’s third-leading passer, going 53 of 92 for 724 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.

Fast facts — Both teams will look to end their seasons on a high note and neither wants to be at the bottom of the conference at season’s end.